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Sports digest: Landon Donovan, U.S. reach Gold Cup final with win over Honduras

Associated Press

Posted:
07/24/2013 08:44:08 PM PDT

Updated:
07/24/2013 10:18:01 PM PDT

Landon Donovan had two goals and an assist, and the United States beat Honduras 3-1 on Wednesday in Arlington, Texas, to advance to the CONCACAF Gold Cup final.

The U.S. struck first when Donovan found Eddie Johnson running through the middle of the Honduran defense. Johnson took a dribble and powered a shot past goalkeeper Donis Escober in the 11th minute. In the 27th minute, Donovan received Alejandro Bedoya's short chip off his chest in the middle of the goal box and poked a shot past Escober.

Nery Medina made it a one-goal game in the 52nd minute. The Americans countered a minute later when Bedoya ran down a long ball from Clarence Goodson and crossed it to Donovan, who scored from a few yards out.

Coach Jurgen Klinsmann said Donovan's performance was "wonderful to watch" but has declined to confirm that the veteran forward will be rejoining the U.S. World Cup qualifying team later this year. Donovan has five goals in the Gold Cup, tying him with teammate Chris Wondolowski for the lead.

The U.S. has won a team-record 10 straight and will play Panama on Sunday in Chicago. Roman Torres' header off a corner kick in the 61st minute helped Panama beat Mexico 2-1.

Yachting

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America's Cup challenger Artemis Racing sailed its new 72-foot catamaran for the first time, 2﻿1/2 months after Andrew "Bart" Simpson was killed in a capsize that destroyed the syndicate's first boat. Helmsman Nathan Outteridge calls it "a massive tribute to all the guys who have been working so hard to get us back out there." The boat rode up on hydrofoils in wind as strong as 15 knots on San Francisco Bay. Sweden's Artemis hopes to be competing by Aug. 6, the opening race of the Louis Vuitton Cup semifinals.

NFL

Washington quarterback Robert Griffin III said he likely won't play in any preseason games. "They want to make sure we're not doing anything too soon that we don't have," said Griffin, who had reconstructive knee surgery in January but expects to play in the season opener Sept. 8.

Tampa Bay veteran wide receiver Mike Williams reported to training camp and promptly signed a six-year, $40.25 million deal. He had 63 catches for 996 yards last season.

Detroit signed former Raiders wide receiver Chaz Schilens, who had 28 catches for the New York Jets last season.

Cornerback Desmond Trufant, Atlanta's first-round draft pick out of Washington, signed a four-year, $8.16 million deal with $4.3 million guaranteed.

NHL

A state board gave the go-ahead for a new Red Wings arena in Detroit to be paid for in part with $284 million in tax dollars even as the city works through bankruptcy proceedings. The Michigan Strategic Fund Board also took steps toward issuing $450 million in bonds to build the arena. Other local agency approvals are needed.

Colleges

Former UNLV basketball coach Jerry Tarkanian, 82, was wrapping up an 11-day stay in a La Jolla hospital after suffering artery blockages and having a pacemaker installed. He'll be inducted into the Naismith Memorial Hall of Fame on Sept. 8.

NBA

Mike Miller confirmed a contract to return to Memphis, a week after Miami designated him as its amnesty player. Also,